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PODCAST

What the Riff Next Gen

Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

Every episode of “WHAT THE RIFF NEXT GEN” brings a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1995 and 2005. Four Classic Rock fans discuss the artist and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 3 additional “staff picks” of other artists that were also on the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear Classic Rock bands that were still producing new work, as well as some newer Alternative and Grunge bands that were

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All Episodes

00:44:14

1992 - June: Rage Against the Machine "Rage Against...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/09/02

Rage Against the Machine recorded their eponymously named debut album in May-June of 1992 and released it in November 1992. The Los Angeles-based group consisted of Zack de la Rocha on vocals, Tom Morello on guitar, Tim Commerford on bass, and Brad Wilk on drums. The group was known for their anti-establishment and politically charged lyrics. Rage Against the Machine combined a lot of genres of music into a single hard-hitting sound. The influence of hard rock and metal is clear, and elements of

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00:34:40

1980 - May: Devo “Freedom of Choice”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/08/26

While Devo is known as an early 80's new wave synth pop band, their history goes back to 1973. The classic lineup of Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale, Bob Casale, and Alan Myers developed the name Devo from "De-evolution," the idea that mankind is regressing to a herd mentality. This was a bit of a joke idea that Gerald Casale and co-founder Bob Lewis formed while at Kent State University. The band gained some local fame in 1976, and were signed to Warner Brothers in 1978 with

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00:29:25

1968 - May: Sly and the Family Stone “Dance to the...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/08/19

Sylvester Stewart was born in Dallas, Texas, but moved to the Bay area of California before becoming a multi-instrumentalist and changing his name to Sly Stone - the primary driver of the group Sly and the Family Stone. This was one of the first integrated groups, and one that crossed many genres. They played what would become known as psychedelic soul, but you can trace the origins of funk, soul, and psychedelic music through Sly and the Family Stone.The first Family Stone album was called “A

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00:40:24

1980 - April: Styx “Cornerstone”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/08/12

Styx is approaching the height of their popularity and a bit of a turning point when they released their ninth studio album, Cornerstone. Keyboardist and vocalist Dennis DeYoung, and lead guitarist and vocalist Tommy Shaw take the lion's share of the songwriting duites, with one or both developing all tracks save one. The lead vocalist duties also alternate between DeYoung and Shaw, again with the sole exception being a song written and sung by guitarist James "JY" Young.This album finds the group

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00:43:05

1987 - December: Def Leppard “Hysteria”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/08/05

Hysteria is the album that should not exist. Def Leppard's fourth studio album was plagued with delays and tragedy. Despite this fact, the album would become one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time. The band wrapped up their Pyromania tour in early 1984, and started writing their next album shortly thereafter. Producter John "Mutt" Lange began working with them to arrange the songs, but was suffering from burnout and couldn't commit to producing the album. Jim Steinman (of Meatloaf's

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00:37:13

1974 - August: Little Feat “Feats Don't Fail Me Now”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/07/29

This week we are delving into one of the greats of Southern Rock. Well, they are southern rock if you count southern California. Little Feat took its name from a comment Frank Zappa made to his band member Lowell George regarding his having little feet. George would become a founder and driving force behind Little Feat, providing guitar and vocals. Other members were Paul Barrere on guitar and vocals, Sam Clayton on percussion and vocals, Kenny Gradney on bass, Richie Hayward on drums and vocals,

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00:48:41

1990 - November: Megadeth “Rust In Peace”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/07/22

Who's up for some thrash metal?Megadeth is one of the founding bands of the thrash metal genre, and considered one of the "big four" of U.S. thrash metal (along with Anthrax, Metallica, and Slayer). The heart of the band, primary songwriter, and sole constant member of the band throughout the years is Dave Mustaine. The formation of the band is well known as a revenge effort on Mustaine's part. He was fired from his role as lead guitarist of Metallica just prior to the recording of their debut

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00:33:20

1972 - July: Leon Russell “Carney”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/07/15

One of the great underappreciated singer-songwriters of the rock era was Tulsa, Oklahoma native Claude Russell Bridges, better known as Leon Russell. Russell was a musician and songwriter with records spanning rock, folk, country, gospel, bluegrass, and blues who began playing piano at the age of four. He went to the same high school as David Gates (from Bread), and the two collaborated as a group called The Fencemen early on. Russell went to Los Angeles and worked as a studio musician. The list

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00:36:25

1981 - November: Rick James “Street Songs”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/07/08

Let's get this out of the way up front: when you think of rock albums, Rick James is not the artist that immediately comes to mind. But when former founding podcaster Brian Dickhute comes back and wants to do the album, we find it difficult to deny him.James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. was born in Buffalo where he was in a number of groups and bands as a teenager. He joined the US Navy Reserves to avoid being drafted, then moved to Toronto in 1964 where he formed the rock band “The Minah Byrds.”

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00:45:17

1971 - August: The Who “Who's Next”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/07/01

Pete Townshend intended the fifth studio album from The Who to be a science fiction rock opera called “Lifehouse,” as a follow up to the rock opera “Tommy” released in 1969. After conflicts with their band manager and issues just managing the complexity of what Townshend envisioned the project to be, the rock opera was shelved, and the follow-up was made into a more traditional album entitled Who's Next.The group began recording the album at Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger's house, using the

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00:28:10

1965 - October: The Beatles "Rubber Soul"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/06/24

Rubber Soul was the sixth studio ablum released by The Beatles in the US and the UK. The album was largely recorded in October of 1965 over a four week period, and relesed in December of 1965. The Fab Four had completed their North American tour by August, and had returned to London to compose this album. It would be the first album they completed without the pressure of commitments to tour, film, or otherwise make public appearances. Nevertheless, the band was working under tight timelines,

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00:43:59

1992 - March: The Cure “Wish”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/06/17

We've covered a lot of great bands and artists in our podcasts, but it is a rare occasion when we get to explore a group that has defined an entire rock genre. The Cure are considered to be the defining band within the goth rock movement. Formed in 1978 out of the post-punk era, this West Sussex band would grow into an international cult favorite, complete with black wardrobe, smeared lipstick, and wild hair.The Cure is considered to have hit the height of their commercial appeal with Wish, their

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00:30:51

1970 - August: Creedence Clearwater Revival ...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/06/10

Swamp rock afficianados, this is your podcast!Despite forming in California, Creedence Clearwater Revival was known for their Louisiana sound often described as "swamp rock" or later as roots rock. They tended towards an earlier rock sound during a time when much of their fellow performers were moving in a more psychedelic direction. But CCR (as the band was known, or Creedence) would find prolific success in the time from 1969 to 1971 when they would produce 14 consecutive top 10 singles and five

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00:39:32

1986 - January: Michael McDonald "Sweet Freedom"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/06/03

We've made a few jokes in past episodes about Michael McDonald popping up in unexpected places. It's an easy joke to make, because McDonald has a distinctive voice and has worked with a lot of artists covering numerous genres. But the man is talented - both vocally and on the keyboards - and his career has put him at the forefront of rock music for a long time.Sweet Freedom is a compilation album that explores McDonald's work from his first two albums plus a number of collaborations. The album

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00:46:48

1986 - March: Van Halen "5150"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/05/27

Van Halen’s New Era: The Launch of "5150" with Sammy HagarIn 1985, rock legends Van Halen were at a pivotal juncture. Following the departure of charismatic lead vocalist David Lee Roth, the band faced the daunting task of finding a new frontman. After an exhaustive search, Eddie Van Halen connected with a familiar face from the music scene—Sammy Hagar, the dynamic solo artist and former Montrose vocalist. Their reunion sparked a creative resurgence, culminating in the release of "5150" in March

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00:41:56

1989 - March: George Thorogood and the Destroyers ...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/05/20

Wilmington, Delaware's George Thorogood got his start on acoustic blues. He formed a band called the Delaware Destroyers in 1973, and this would eventually become his band, known as George Thorogood & The Destroyers. He released his first record in 1977, and received more mainstream notice when he opened for the Rolling Stones in 1981. The same year his touring schedule included the “50/50 tour” where George Thorogood & the Destroyers toured all 50 states in 50 days. Thorogood's high energy

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00:38:43

1988 - October: The Traveling Wilburys "The...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/05/13

A supergroup is a band made up of musicians who have already achieved fame either as soloists or members of another band. One of the most iconic of supergroups would be formed in 1988 and go by the name of The Traveling Wilburys. In 1987 George Harrison released his album "Cloud Nine" with Jeff Lynne performing a number of instruments and co-producing. They started talking about forming a group during those sessions, with Harrison talking about bringing in Bob Dylan and Lynne talking about

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00:41:36

1993 - January - Stone Temple Pilots “Core”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/05/06

Stone Temple Pilots, often abbreviated as STP, burst onto the rock scene in the early 1990's, becoming one of the most commercially successful bands of that era. Their debut album, Core, was released in late September 1992, and we're highlighting it in January 1993 when many of their hits were on the charts.The DeLeo brothers form the heart of the band: Dean DeLeo's guitar work provides the sonic foundation, and Robert DeLeo's bass playing adds a groove to the band's sound. Eric Kretz anchors the

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00:39:14

1984 - October: Steve Perry “Street Talk”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/04/29

It will come as no surprise to regular listeners of this podcast that we are all big fans of Steve Perry, the chief vocalist of Journey. So it should also not come as a surprise that we would want to feature his debut solo studio album called Street Talk. Perry embarked on this solo project shortly after the release of Journey's "Frontiers" album, at a time when the group was packing arenas around the world. The name of the album comes from his pre-Journey days when he was leading a band called

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00:39:13

1975 - July: Outlaws “The Outlaws”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2024/04/22

The Outlaws had a long history as a band prior to the release of this debut album. Formed originally in 1967 in Tampa, Florida, the original name for the group was "The Four Letter Words." They toured off and on through the early 70's, and made an aborted attempt at an album the late 60's. Finally, they were signed by Clive Davis and Arista Records while opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Ronnie Van Zant told Davis and future Outlaws manager Charlie Brusco, "If you don't sign Outlaws, you're the

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